The Norwegian Working Environment Act is intended to ensure secure conditions of employment, a safe working environment and a meaningful work situation for all employees. Enterprises themselves are responsible for the preventing work-related accidents and harm to health. Employers have a duty to ensure that the working environment and level of safety are appropriate and satisfactory. The authorities help by ensuring that enterprises carry out systematic work in relation to health, safety and the environment (HSE). The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority, the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway and the National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI) research organisation come under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour. In addition, the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority is a government agency. The authority is charged with supervising enterprises to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the Working Environment Act.
The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority acts as the Focal Point for contacts with the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.